News Summary
Students at Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale are expressing their disappointment after the U.S. Department of Education canceled the National Blue Ribbon Schools program for 2025. The school was selected for this prestigious award but received no prior notice of the cancellation. Over 1,000 student letters have been sent to educational officials urging them to reconsider the decision, showcasing the students’ dedication to their education and pride in their school. The cancellation has sparked concerns over recognition for hard work among educational institutions.
Glendale, CA – Students at Chamlian Armenian School are voicing their disappointment following the recent cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program by the U.S. Department of Education. The school was one of hundreds selected for this prestigious recognition prior to the sudden announcement on August 29, 2025, which came without any advance notice to affected schools.
In the wake of the cancellation, more than 1,000 letters were penned by students to U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, urging them to honor the schools selected for the 2025 cohort. This initiative reflects the students’ passion for their education and pride in their school community.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which was established in 1982, aims to recognize academic excellence and has historically honored schools demonstrating superior academic achievement or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. Each year, only about 300 schools are selected from more than 130,000 schools across the nation, including 50 private institutions. The recognition garnered by Blue Ribbon Schools typically serves to elevate the school’s public profile and can provide valuable assistance in fundraising efforts.
Chamlian Armenian School, having prepared extensively for this accolade, experienced disappointment at the news of its cancellation. The school’s administration had dedicated months to the application process, which involved hundreds of hours of work from faculty and staff. The recognition was seen as a vital endorsement of the school’s efforts over the past five decades, highlighting the commitment of the Armenian community to educational excellence.
School Head Talin Kargodorian expressed regret over the program’s cancellation, especially as Armenian schools have historically not received recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools despite serving the community for over half a century. The news of the cancellation reached Chamlian shortly after the announcement was made public, with school officials initially being alerted through media coverage rather than through direct communication from the Department of Education.
Prior to the cancellation, representatives from Chamlian had been tasked with preparing a 200-word description and an accompanying photo for the National Blue Ribbon Schools program website, evidencing their readiness for this recognition. In response to the situation, the school initiated a petition to appeal the cancellation, which has garnered over 1,300 signatures, showcasing widespread support for their cause.
Artin Ghazarian, chairman of the Chamlian School Board, pointedly remarked on the need for recognition to be impartial and free from political influence, emphasizing the importance of educational merit in their plea. However, since the students’ outreach to educational officials, they have received no response regarding the cancellation.
The Glendale Unified School District, which supports several schools that previously received Blue Ribbon awards, confirmed that Clark Magnet High School was among those also awaiting confirmation before the program was abruptly canceled. In years past, out of 30 schools within the district, 10 earned this distinguished designation, illustrating a strong tradition of academic achievement among GUSD schools.
The cancellation of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program for the 2025 cohort raises significant concerns among the community and educational institutions, as it encompasses issues of recognition and validation for hard work put forth by both students and educators. Schools like Chamlian, with their commitment to excellence, continue to push for acknowledgment of their accomplishments despite the challenges they face.
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Additional Resources
- Glendale News Press: Chamlian Responds to National Blue Ribbon Cancellation
- ABC15: 6 Arizona Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Recognition
- Los Angeles Times: Monte Vista Elementary Embraces Blue Ribbon Honor
- Wikipedia: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- Google Search: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
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